Two hundred and fifty years ago, a hunter named Svanir and his sister Jora led a band of norn to slay the wolves that ruled Drakkar Lake. They were crossing the frozen waters when the dragon Drakkar, one of Jormag's champions which lay encased in the lake's ice, grasped Svanir's mind. It whispered seductions to him, promising power and prey.

Svanir listened to it while his sister, terrified by it, refused the dark gifts and tried to drag her brother away. But he struck her and told her she was weak, that he had discovered the well of power. She fled.

Svanir remained to commune with his newfound lord. In time, the voice began to change him, taught him to hate all living things. It made him a champion—half-bear, half-Norn, encrusted with ice, which became known as the nornbear. Svanir wandered the wastes in madness, attacking any who came near. He became a monster and ultimately found its demise at the hands of his own sister.

However over the next hundred fifty years the voice seduced more Norn, and they formed the Sons of Svanir. While they believed they were drawing upon the ancient voice, in fact it was drawing upon them, gaining the power to rise.

When Jormag, the Elder Dragon, did rise, the Norn fought him - gladly, for Norn are made for battle - but suffered a great defeat. The dragon and its minions froze where they fought and buried their lands in snow and ice, tearing apart Gunnar's Hold with a massive glacier, driving the now homeless Norn to the south.

Despite this, there are still some foolish Norn who seek the power of Jormag. In the end they are reduced to icebrood themselves, flesh wrapped in ice, fed by malevolence and hatred.